MORRISTOWN – The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) celebrated a major milestone in its history of supporting Morristown Medical Center with a presentation by W. Barry Thomson, entitled Mansion in May, a History Lecture, which was hosted for its members on March 1.

Author and historian W. Barry Thomson took the more than 105 attendees back in time to the nearly simultaneous founding of Morristown Memorial and All Souls’ hospitals in the early 1890s and the founding of the Women’s Association in March 1893. Thomson’s presentation highlighted how both hospitals owed their very existence to the efforts of women and how the Women's Association provided about 50 percent of Morristown Memorial's annual operating expenses in the first few years. He also provided a fascinating look into the histories of both hospitals that are steeped in connections of people and places going back to the American Revolution.

Thomson’s presentation also featured WAMMC’s signature fundraiser, Mansion in May, which has been organized and run by the all-volunteer organization from 1974 through 2017. WAMMC’s 18 Mansion in May events have netted more than $12 million for the hospital, thereby significantly enhancing the quality of medical care available to the area's residents.

Thomson, who has worked on several architectural and local history projects in the past and is a frequent lecturer on various aspects of architectural and area history, has graciously volunteered his time and expertise as the history consultant for several previous Mansion in May events, including those at Alnwick Hall – The Abbey in 2017, Blairsden in 2014, Glynallyn in 2012 and Froh-Heim in 2008.

“We were thrilled to recognize and celebrate our 125 years of support and service to Morristown Medical Center with our members. We have come a long way since our organization was started in 1893, and Barry Thomson’s presentation provided a forum for attendees to fully appreciate the history and significance of the Women’s Association, our Mansion in May program and the many other support activities that are only possible with the dedication and commitment of our members and volunteers,” said Mary Courtemanche, President, Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center.

About the Women's Association for Morristown Medical Center

Founded in March 1893 to provide financial support to Morristown Medical Center, part of the Atlantic Health System, the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) helps enable the hospital to respond to the changing healthcare needs of the community. With a volunteer base of more than 500 members, WAMMC hosts a number of fundraising events, anchored by the flagship event, Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens, open to the public every two years. WAMMC also operates the hospital’s gift shops and The Bargain Box Thrift Boutique, as well as WAMMC TV, which partners with Calling All Kids and is the first in-house family television station for young patients and their families to enjoy during their stay at the hospital. WAMMC is an integral part of the hospital’s ability to continue bringing cutting-edge technology and superior health services to the community, and has raised more than $30 million to date to support this mission. For more information about WAMMC, visit http://www.wammc.org.